Today, global IT and technology recruitment specialist Talent International announced the 2016 Talent Unleashed Awards, appointing Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak as head judge.

Now in its fourth year, Talent Unleashed is a prestigious awards programme that recognises outstanding start-ups and inspiring entrepreneurs dedicated to transforming business and the wider community through technological innovation. Wozniak will chair the global judging panel for the awards and will be joined by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, Facebook EMEA VP Nicola Mendelsohn and many more.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was part of the 2015 judging panel, said: “I’m delighted to be involved again this year as a judge for the Talent Unleashed Awards. The quality of the entries seems to get stronger as does the geographical spread which includes Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK.”

This year’s awards offer five categories: Best Start-Up – Social Impact; Best Start-Up – Tech innovation; Best Digital SME – Tech Innovation; Most Disruptive CIO/CTO and Best Tech IPO/Venture Capital Raising. The UK awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 21st July at the home of BAFTA in Central London.

“The Talent Unleashed Awards champion amazing ideas that have the potential to transform the technological world and positively impact the community,” commented Talent CEO, EMEA, Jon Butterfield. “Last year’s awards attracted over 500 entries from a variety of disruptive entrepreneurs and game-changing start-ups, including last year’s winner Andiamo. The UK is an exciting hotbed for technological innovation and we’re looking forward to seeing what interesting things businesses are doing to effect change.”

The UK finalists, along with the regional finalists from Asia, Australia and New Zealand will then compete in the grand finals held in Sydney on 18th August. The overall global winners will get to spend some one-on-one time with Steve Wozniak and win a trip to the tech capital of the world in Silicon Valley.

Last year’s UK winner, London based start-up Andiamo, is preparing for the winners trip to Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson next month. Reflecting on the awards process, Andiamo Co-Founder Samiya Parvez, said: “There was just no way we could miss the opportunity to enter the Talent Unleashed Awards last year. Being recognised by Sir Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak has really made other people sit up and take notice. The upcoming trip to Necker Island is a fantastic opportunity for us to rub shoulders with the brightest, most established business leaders from around the world and drive Andiamo forward…whilst enjoying a cocktail or two!”